What should I aim for in terms of healthy goal weight?

[Soon2bFit21 109]

6 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

that's really odd. Those who give you a goal (and not all do) often give you one that's right around the average weight loss (which is about 70% of excess weight - which, statistically anyway, is about where you'd expect to end up). There are definitely people who make it to a normal BMI, but my surgeon said only about 10-15% of his patients do, and the statistics I've read appear to back that up. Your surgeon giving you that number as a goal seems unrealistic. Possible, of course, but not terribly realistic.

Oddly enough, when we discussed VSG vs bypass in my initial consult, he said the usual for VSG patients is around 60% of excess weight lost long term, so that would make even less sense for his goal weight. I’ve had a lot of issues and complaints with the facility where I had my surgery in the first place, so this just adds to the list of frustrating advice I’ve been given. My surgeon can’t even get my starting weight before surgery right to track my progress correctly despite me showing him on my paperwork what I weighed the day of surgery.

[PolkSDA 116]

36 minutes ago, Soon2bFit21 said:

Starting weight 339, my surgeon seems to think my goal weight should be 150. At 5’11...

Yikes!

150 for 5'11" is a good 15-20 pounds lower than what even the online calculators come up with, and those typically shoot way lower than reality as it is. Where the heck did he get that number from?

Statistical outliers notwithstanding, IMO that is setting someone up for failure.

[Soon2bFit21 109]

21 minutes ago, PolkSDA said:

Yikes!

150 for 5'11" is a good 15-20 pounds lower than what even the online calculators come up with, and those typically shoot way lower than reality as it is. Where the heck did he get that number from?

Statistical outliers notwithstanding, IMO that is setting someone up for failure.

According to his “calculations” for BMI it was right where I should be. I know better though: I’ve been very lean and with a 6 pack at 165 when I did bodybuilding. I don’t expect to hit that weight again nor do I want to. I’d be emaciated if it was for any length of time.

[JMJames92 114]

On 5/27/2021 at 9:14 AM, ThanaK said:

I’m about 8 weeks post op with slow steady weight loss. Now that I’m relatively healed and I’m almost eating normal foods again it’s time to thinking ahead to goal weight. I’d like to get to a healthy goal weight. I’ve been overweight most of my adult life so I don’t really know what that is having never really experienced it. Should I be thinking of BMI? Healthy BMI for my age looks like a very low weight for my height and body frame. For those of you who have lost the weight already, how did you know that you had reached your goal? Was it how you felt? How you looked? Looking for some guidance as I navigate my weight loss journey! Thanks.

I know I am a little late on this but here goes lol. First off, congratulations on getting your surgery! When I first got mine I thought that the "normal" BMI range was way too low. I think I just thought that because I had never weighed anywhere near the normal range. I currently weigh about 158 which is right at the highest end of normal on the BMI scale. I think the weight I am right now is great. I was ~130 at one point in time which is still in the normal range but that was way too low. I looked gaunt and sickly and my face was sunken in.

Basically I guess it probably varies from person to person and whether you are male or female probably plays a role (i.e. if I was female, 130 pounds might not have looked so unhealthy). The normal BMI weight may seem like it is too low now but that may change as you lose weight. I would recommend focusing on your body being healthy rather than what BMI or weight you are. Your doctor can help you determine if your body is in a healthy state at the weight you are.

Anyway, congratulations on being two months post-op! The pre-op is a grueling process but it is absolutely worth it. I wish you the best of luck.

-Joshua